Related Federal Cases
- Larreka Jackson Sentenced for ID Theft Tax Fraud Scheme · Alabama
- Pool and Franquelin Plead Guilty to Securities Fraud, Money Laundering · Alabama
- Alabama State Worker Nabbed in Tax Fraud Scheme · Alabama
- Montgomery Woman Accused in ID Theft Tax Fraud Scam · Alabama
- Montgomery Woman Jailed for $1.7M ID Theft Tax Fraud · Alabama
IRS Employee Sentenced to 9 Years for $1M ID Theft Tax Fraud Scheme
A federal judge has sentenced an IRS employee to nine years and two months in prison for using her access to taxpayer information to lead a complex, multi-year, $1 million stolen identity refund scheme involving hundreds of victims.
NAKEISHA HALL, 40, pleaded guilty in February to theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft, unauthorized access to a protected computer and conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud affecting a financial institution. Chief U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre sentenced Hall to nine years and two months in prison on the charges, ordered her to pay $438,187 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, and to forfeit the same amount to the U.S. government as proceeds of criminal activity.
Hall is the daughter of a long-time IRS employee and began working for the IRS in 2000. Hall worked in the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service office in Birmingham from July 2007 to November 2011. After November 2011, she worked in TAS offices in Omaha, Neb., New Orleans, La., and Salt Lake City, Utah. TAS is responsible for assisting taxpayers who are having difficulties with the IRS. TAS works with victims of identity theft and assists them in removing fraudulent tax information from their accounts and in filing corrected tax returns, if necessary.
“This defendant abused her position of trust as an IRS employee, using her access to compromise taxpayers’ identities to attempt to steal more than $1 million from the agency. She successfully claimed more than $400,000 in fraudulent tax refunds,” said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance. “Hall victimized United States taxpayers and jeopardized the reputation of the IRS and its division that is intended to assist taxpayers experiencing problems resulting from identity theft. Today’s sentence reflects the outrageous and serious nature of her crime.”
Three co-conspirators have pleaded guilty in the case. Lashon Roberson, 36, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud affecting a financial institution and mail fraud affecting a financial institution. Roberson was sentenced in July to three years in prison and ordered to pay $119,185 in restitution to the IRS. Jimmie Goodman, 37, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud. Goodman was sentenced in July to three years and five months in prison and was ordered to pay $82,802 in restitution to the IRS and to forfeit that amount to the government. Abdulla Coleman, 40, also of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud affecting a financial institution and bank fraud. He is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 14.
According to court records, Hall led a complex scheme that involved the theft of hundreds of identities and the filing of false tax returns in the victims’ names. The scheme resulted in the loss of over $1 million to the IRS.
“Violations of federal law, particularly those committed by IRS employees who are entrusted to protect taxpayers’ sensitive information, will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Mid-States Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Ruben Florez.
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation, St. Louis Field Office, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Mid-States Field Division.
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News